What is the purpose of separating drill deployment and surface harvesting?

[KerbMav]

4 hours ago, 5thHorseman said:

 

See that's what I get for designing over-efficiently. And by that I of course mean littering Science Jr's everywhere before coming home

Seriously I don't remember the last time I returned from anywhere but LKO with a Science Jr.

Doesn't closing them delete the collected science in them?

[magnemoe]

7 hours ago, 5thHorseman said:

 

See that's what I get for designing over-efficiently. And by that I of course mean littering Science Jr's everywhere before coming home

Seriously I don't remember the last time I returned from anywhere but LKO with a Science Jr.

It might be more relevant in some settings you can not stop and collect the data like doing science in upper atmosphere with an plane or suborbital. 

[Blaarkies]

On 7/26/2016 at 8:15 AM, pandaman said:

All I can think of is that with the drill deployed then the vessel become fixed in position, irrespective of whether the brakes are on or not.

But they dont(at least not fast). I have been slowly driving my mining rig closer to the lander shuttle while 4 drills are busy drilling 

[Superfluous J]

3 hours ago, KerbMav said:

Doesn't closing them delete the collected science in them?

Nope. Resetting them does. Resetting also closes the doors but you can - with the "close door" button, close them without resetting.

As was said above, though, there is an actual reason to close the doors: It makes the part a bit more aerodynamic if you return it to Kerbin after use.

Edited July 29, 2016 by 5thHorseman